The Company That You Keep

The past several months have induced much change in my life.  As some of you know, there was an abrupt end to something I loved dearly; namely, running marathons and ultras and training for them.  The loss broke my heart and frankly left me searching for direction.  Unfortunately, starting about the same time, some other things occurred in my life, personally and professionally, that added to the stress, to the point where it seemed like I was adrift in rough seas.  

Fate works in strange ways.  The power of love came to me this week, through the presence of my friends, my cosmic family.  It really was the strangest thing ... blind luck, serendipity, divine intervention, whatever one calls it.  Day after day, I had encounters with people that lifted me up spiritually, in some cases very much so.  In several instances, I felt called to duty and was able to do the lifting.  As I sit here tonight writing this, I feel so fortunate ... and grateful.  Gratitude is so healing to me. 

What has this week taught me?  It has taught me the importance of surrounding yourself with good, positive people, those that are beacons of light.  If you do this and choose wisely, then you too will become a beacon of light and your life will be greatly enriched.  The reason is simply because we become the company that we keep.  It can't be helped.  You will know beacons of light by the aura they exude, and the happiness they are living and giving.  Blood ties, titles, and rhetoric do not give you a "free pass".  In a nutshell, here is one guiding principle that I have come to understand over the past several years.  The quality of one's life is strongly dictated by the quality of the company that you keep.

I like to spontaneously text my friends pictures to let them know they are on my mind! 

On the other hand, avoid toxic people.  These would include charmers with big personalities, drama addicts, unhappy souls who are critical and judgmental of others, and those who use the word "hate" in their vocabulary. Don't allow these types of exhausting people into the inner sanctum.  Let them instead find and begin to destroy each other, as they are want to do.  If you do allow someone like this in your life, into the inner sanctum, be prepared to reap years of sorrow.  If this someone is a narcissist, then you will become a narcissist.  If this someone exhibits a lot of bitterness and negativity, then you will exhibit a lot of bitterness and negativity.  On and on it goes.  You will become the company that you keep.  Like waves lapping at bridge pillars made of sandstone, eventually the bridge will collapse.

In the spirit of gratitude that I mentioned, I would like to acknowledge those members of my cosmic family whose paths I crossed this week:

• Joey Gigliotti: Thank you for pointing out that I was #1 in the Google search for "outlier ANOVA" :-)  I think of you and miss you every time I'm out on the rail trail by the dam.
• Laurie Geller: I await to find out just what those doors are.
• Jami Larson: A special person with much potential.
• Sandy and Aaron Yocum: You two are awesome; so glad to break bread with you this week.  Happy Anniversary!  
• Jamie Summerlin:  Thank you for inspiring us.  It was a pleasure talking with you the other night.
• Brian Burdi: Thanks for lunch.  Until our paths cross again, chin up, face into the wind.
• Beth Byron: Your enthusiasm and kindess are contagious.  I'll look forward to those swim plans.
• Gancho Slavov: I cannot tell you enough how nice it was to talk with you the other day.  You are always so understanding.
• Tad Davis and Maria Dalzot: My life would not be complete without your presence.
• Ann Wojciechowicz: I so admire your intelligence and depth.  You always challenge me to think deeper in a way no one else can.
• Mark Spetly: I love our phone conversations and your pearls of wisdom.  Stay strong, my friend.
• Janet Fagula: I officially declare you my adopted mother :-)
• Fritz Condon: I officially declare you my adopted father :-) 
• Mike Saad: My brother, raise your shield and unsheathe your sword.  You have much living yet to do.
• Melissa Cummings: You are a beautiful, young woman.  
• Kurt Holland: Here is to finding and holding onto peace in the middle of the storm.
• Mike Frazier: I love you, man!  Need I say more?
• Ken Boike: Rest and heal well, Ken.
• Roy St. Laurent: Enjoy your time up in Michigan.
• Sarah Quesen: Get back to Pittsburgh already, will ya'?!
• Ross and Alicia Bricklemyer: Thanks for your sage and wise counsel.  It was much appreciated.
• Xiangyi Zhao: Thanks for stopping by.  Go get 'em at JSM!
• John Burkhart: Good to see you in your "study quarters" :-)               

To those I mention here and to those I carelessly forgot to mention, THANK YOU!  I love each and every one of you.  For the first time in a long time, I feel like the seas have flattened out a bit.  I think it's time now to swim back to shore.  It is time to look towards the next chapter of this fantastic odyssey we call life ...    

Sunset view from a recent vacation at Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.